yoga, beauty, fashion, music and life

Beauty

Here in England the sun is finally out! So this is definitely encouraging me to eat more healthy before all the shorts come out!

I somehow whipped this granola up yesterday by mixing a few recipes and using what I could find. I’m sick of breakfast cereals being absolutely packed of sugar, and instead of cakes heavy snacks this is perfect for quick on the go munching. Eat with milk, yogurt on its own!

Ingredients:

Oats

Any oil you can find, I used rapeseed but coconut would taste better

Cinnamon

Honey

Sunflower seeds

Pumpkin seeds

Vanilla essence

I didn’t measure anything I just kinda winged it. Mix everything in a big bowl, it shouldn’t stick together but should be slightly wet.

Then spread the mixture thinly on foil or baking paper and pop in the oven on around 180 degrees for ten minutes.

I’ve had such a busy two weeks! Last ever exam, finishing uni, summer ball and I’ve got a job before I even arrived back home! But between the stress the partying made it worth while!

So for my end of uni ball I needed to make slightly more effort than a usual night out in my shorts and converse. Instead of a dress I went for a jumpsuit. I bought this last year for a cruise I went on so I was dying to wear it again. It was only £7! From h&m in the sale, so obviously won’t be available now but moral of the story: keep your eyes on sale rails! You don’t need to break the bank for a fancy outfit!

The original outfit had a much higher neckline but to add a little something I altered it slightly to have a much lower plunge. This is totally out of my comfort zone, especially as I have nothing in that department to show off! But I like to think it looked classy!

I added minimal jewellery and my highest black chunky heels. Then I decided to curl my hair with a thin wand and add a ton of hairspray.

For makeup I’d bought mac’s creme de nude, so I was desperate to wear that with a dark eye. I did a kind of cut crease with some Mac gold glitter, and some huge lashes. Hard to see in the picture but I thought it added some drama to the look.

So that’s it! Danced in to the early hours and now I’m putting my feet up for a well deserved rest!

If there’s one thing I’m bad at it’s making a decision. Where to go for dinner. What to wear out. What lipstick to choose. Obviously not the most vital of life choices.

But now I’m at that big age in life where shit is getting very real. A week on Tuesday I finish my 4 years at uni. I have to move back home and become an adult. Complete with job and a whole new grown up life outlook… hopefully!

So now instead of having my path already carved out for me I have to decide what I want to do with my life. Where do I want to live? What do I want to do? Do I want to stay with my boyfriend?

It’s literally terrifying me. Because what if I make the wrong decision and mess everything up?

But I think that some decisions you already know the answer. It’s just admitting it to yourself that’s the issue.

Let me start off by saying, I’m not an expert. Nor do I eat perfect every single day. But I like to think that I’m treating my body better these days and my eating habits are definitely improving! It’s all about finding foods that excite you and that you look forward to eating. And I serious can’t muster up excitement for kale. I really tried, but no. Instead I’ve listed the foods that have known health benefits that actually are yummy. At least to me!

1. Avocado

Yeah, nothing new here. The obsession is real though. Healthy source of fat, fill you up for longer and can be worked into a variety of meals.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar

I’ve only recently discovered this and I am obsessed. Splash it on salads and veg and it’s delish. It has heaps of benefits, and is perfect as it’s getting warmer. I love it on tuna salads.

I’ve literally just finished this book so I wanted to write a review while it’s fresh in my head.

Let me start by saying… ITS AMAZING!

I’ve read some pretty good books recently but I’ve been stuck in the thriller rut which is pretty much every book in the charts at the moment. Yawn.

I do love books that are magical and completely imaginative. I would say this book is a cross between hunger games and divergent and Harry Potter.

Caraval is basically a magical game on a island where people play to win a prize. There’s lots of twists and turns… I don’t want to give anything away! Scarlett plays to find her sister who ends up getting involved in the game. It contains romance with suspense and magic.

This is the authors debut novel and from what I’ve heard they are already in talks about a movie.

In the UK the book isn’t readily available in many shops apart from Waterstones. I got mine for only £5 on Amazon. Also, the hardback edition has secret covers underneath the cover slip. The cover is so pretty!

I attempted making my own protein balls the other day and they turned out pretty good! So I thought I’d share how I made them. These are the ingredients I used but add or swap whatever you fancy:

Dates

Whey protein (banana)

Cacao powder

Mixed chopped nuts

Chia seeds

Peanut butter

Cinnamon

Honey

Chopped almonds

Oats

Water

The essential ingredients are dates, soaked and chopped in a food processor or blender. And also nuts to give texture. And obviously protein powder.

The peanut butter made it for me, as did the cacao.

After blitzing the dates and nuts together, add water until it’s mix-able. Then add your other ingredients and stir. I decided last minute to add oats to soak up some excess moisture and I’m so glad I did as it made them much more filling and substantial. Then I rolled them in chopped almonds to finish, and pop in the fridge.

I’m going to slowly invest in more health ingredients to add in such as macca powder, but just use what you have!

These products are staples in my makeup bag. Ones that I repurchase and use on a daily basis. My favourites that never let me down.

Too faced sweet peach pallete

Unless you’ve been living under a rock these past few months this palette is crazy popular. Not only are the colours gorgeous, it fricking smells amazing. Who doesn’t want to put a smelly pink eyeshadow on every morning!? Also the pay off is so good, they blend amazing and last all day. This is the first high end pallete that I can see a massive difference from high street. Total fave.

Mac fix+

This is another one probably every one has. If not, get one. It has so many uses. My favourite is to apply shimmer eyeshadows. Also it’s great over makeup, under makeup or to make any product more pigmented.

Maybelline lash sensational

I literally have used this mascara for years. I can’t find a better one. It lengthens and adds volume. Plus it’s really cheap. Win.

Becca highlighter in champagne pop

Thanks to Jacqueline Hill we all got our glow on last year. This costs a bloody fortune and I’m getting so low that I’m willing it to last. There are billions of amazing highlighters out now but I always end up reaching for this one when I want that extra something.

Collection 24 hour felt liner

I love me a good flick. This is the only eyeliner I can use, and that doesn’t dry out. It’s super easy and so so cheap.

Urban decay all nighter foundation

This is a recent addition and the only foundation I’ve liked in a while. It’s really full coverage and lasts. I’m not 100% addicted, but I hate foundation shopping, it’s a pain trying to find my pale colour and one that doesn’t break me out, so this is staying for the time being. If you know any other ones I could try let me know!

I’ve decided the last few weeks I’m going to really try hard to stick to healthy eating and exercising regularly. So I’ve come up with some tips that help keep me focussed and less likely to binge…

1. Meal plan and prep

I always make a plan of what meals I’m going to have the following week, meaning I know exactly what to buy when I go shopping and don’t waste any food. Also, making meals before hand means you won’t be tempted to swap for a takeaway.

2. Don’t buy unhealthy snacks

If it’s not in the house then you won’t be tempted. Simple.

3. Make your own healthy snacks

Although there’s lots of healthy snacks you can purchase, these tend to be expensive. I make my own flapjack bites with whatever berries or nuts I can find to munch on when I’m feeling peckish.

4. Plan your exercise schedule

Planning is everything. If I’ve written something down I’m much more likely to do it. As well as planning when, plan what kind of workout you want to do, yoga, abs run etc. Then you make sure you mix things up and don’t get bored.

5. Always keep a bottle of water with you

For some reason I find it much easier to drink water in a bottle. Weird I know. But then you can see how much you’ve drank and take it on the go.

6. Watch motivational YouTube channels

I’ve recently found the channel SarahSays and I’m obsessed. Her lifestyle is absolute goals and after I watch her vlogs I definitely want to do a workout and grab some fruit.

7. Get some snazzy workout clothes

Workout wear is so much better than regular clothes. Fact.

8. Get an app to track your progress

There are so many, but ones like strava to track your runs are good, especially as it posts to friends so the pressures on to do a PB.

These may be pretty obvious but they’re worth keeping in mind to keep you on track!

How is it November? I know everyone’s saying it but still, this year is flying by. Literally preparing myself to get the christmas tree up!

Anyway, these are the things I’ve been loving this month!

Beauty:

Mac Fix+

I bought this for the hype, not sure what its purpose was. But now im obsessed. My favorite thing to use it for is to intensify my eye shadows, making them slightly tacky as well so they stay on longer.

Smashbox fusion soft lights

This is another one that I couldn’t figure out its’ use (see a theme here). I mean in my defence, it doesn’t have a name like highlighter or face powder. I tried it as a highlight and it wasn’t as pigmented as I am used to (that champagne pop has spoiled me). I read some where people use it as a bronzer and powder, and I am in love. It sets my skin, while giving it some warmth and also giving a subtle all over shimmer. LOVE. Such an underestimated product.

bh Cosmetics brushes

I got this set on holiday but i’ve seen it avalible in lots of places here in the UK too. Its so cheap, contains ten brushes that vary from face to eyes. I love the foundation one, a flat top kabuki thats so soft and blends so well. They brushes are really good quality and you really get a lot for your money.

Perfume:

Issey Miyake L’eau D’issey

You know that perfume you’ve been after for ages, spray all over yourself every time you hit debenhams and wish you could afford. Well this is that perfume for me, and I treated myself on holiday as it was so much cheaper. Its a different quirky smell that smells different after its settled but i love it so much, my new signature scent.

Music:

Rockabye baby – Clean Bandit, Sean Paul and Anne Marie

My Way- Calvin Harris

Shoutout to my ex – Little Mix

The Greatest – Sia ft Kendrick Lamar

Others:

Yoga

I always used to practice yoga everyday, but with holidays and moving house and third year at uni, its took a back seat for a few months, I had a few shitty weeks with anxiety lately so I did a few yoga youtube videos and I completely fell back in love with it. I’d forgot how calm and refreshed I feel after, and how unfit I feel now haha.

Autumn

As much as I miss the sun and summer, I have to admit there’s something cosy about the dark nights and snuggling up with hot chocolate under a mountain of blankets. Plus all the good TV starts coming on now, hibernation it is.